Claressa Shields retained her undisputed heavyweight championship with a commanding unanimous decision over Franchon Crews-Dezurn at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.
In the first fight of her reported $8m multi-bout deal, Shields won every round on all three judges’ scorecards, sealing a 100-90 victory to defend her WBO, WBA, IBF and WBC titles.
Dominant but hard-fought display
The 30-year-old remained unbeaten in 18 professional contests after a competitive 10-round battle featuring intense exchanges. Shields said she had to remain patient against the 38-year-old challenger, praising Crews-Dezurn’s power and resilience.
Shields believed she came close to a stoppage in the seventh round but acknowledged her opponent’s durability.
Legacy continues to grow
A two-time Olympic gold medallist from London 2012 and Rio 2016, Shields had previously defeated Crews-Dezurn three times in the amateur ranks and again on their professional debuts in 2016.
With another dominant defence, Shields further cemented her status as one of boxing’s leading champions, extending an unbeaten run that continues to define her professional career.
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